Director of Boarding Appointed.

By Richard Hall | Posted: Tuesday December 19, 2017

Otago Boys' High School Board of Trustees are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Matthew Markham to the position of Director of Boarding.

Matt was our preferred candidate and his appointment comes after a rigorous nation-wide search for Paul Vilestra's replacement.

Matt comes to us from St Paul's Collegiate in Hamilton. He has significant boarding experience running Clarke House, one of the four houses that make up the St Paul's structure. Previously he has taught at both Westlake Boys' High School and Auckland Grammar.

He is married to Kristy and has two sons Nathan (7) and Sam (5). 

Matt has spoken of why he applied for the position; 'My involvement in boarding has given me good insight into the issues facing young men today both educationally and socially,and what can be done at a school such as Otago Boys' High School to develop young men of character'.

His intentions for the Hostel are to create an inclusive, empathetic and nurturing house culture, where students feel comfortable to be themselves.  Matt feels that boarding is not just about providing a bed for the night so that children from remote areas can access quality education, it is about providing an environment where boarders have the opportunity to grow and develop to their full potential. 

For both of us a successful boarding house creates young men that will become valued members of the communities they live in.

As a school we are looking forward to Matt's leadership of this very important area of our school.

I know that you as parents will support the changes that Matt will lead to ensure we have the very best of care for all Hostel students.